"No one could have prepared me for this gallant, bold, cheeky young man.

"I approached the entrance and I looked up and saw his amazing sparkling blue eyes and a smile that went from cheek to cheek.

"I smiled and as he went towards his car and I entered Tesco I turned back to grab another glance at that beautiful smile only to find he had turned his head towards me too and another cheeky smile was forthcoming.

"Thinking no more of it I went about my shopping and filled my trolley with my weekly shop.

"Then suddenly I looked up and there he was and that beaming smile and a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

"His words to me will always remain with me. He said: 'Hello, I hope you don’t think I make a habit of speaking to attractive young ladies, but I noticed your lovely smile and I wondered if you were single'."

Tony enjoyed many outdoor activities, including cycling, motorcycling and go-karting

As well as being a keen motorcyclist, Tony was a great cyclist and rode for Sidcup Cycles most Saturdays.

He loved to challenge the younger riders up the hills around Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Go-karting was another passion and he used to attend Bayford Meadows in Sittingbourne where he was the fastest rookie last year.

He was a successful businessman, sharing two businesses with partner Miss McAllister, Connoisseur Lighting Ltd and more recently online outdoor lighting business Exterior Lights UK Ltd.

Miss McAllister said she will continue to run these in his name.

She added: "As sad and tragic as this whole matter is, he would want to be remembered for all of the happy times shared.

"He is going to be sorely missed and his funeral will be quite an affair knowing so many people and the friendship he struck up with everyone."

Tony's funeral will be held on Friday June 20 at Kemnal Park Crematorium, Chislehurst.